Friday, September 30, 2011

It’s been a very fun last few days! Once again I am linking up with the fabulous Jeanette from Life ReArranged for Insta-Friday! Here are some fun (well, I think they’re fun) pics of what’s been happening in the day to day…

We started using Cozi for calendar sharing and this is the family pic of us that I took for our account. My boys are handsome. This is a GREAT app and very handy if you’re psycho crazy busy like me.

I went to a style event at Nordstrom called Personalize Your Style. My friend Alyssa from Rags To Stitches organized it and it was super fun! If you are local, you have to come with me to the next one! As soon as I know when it is, I’ll let you know.

I ran. Yes. I’m a runner now. I can run a mile…downhill…without dying and I think that’s pretty awesome! Yes that’s a fanny pack. Don’t judge me. It’s very useful! I keep my phone in there and my kleenex in case I get sneezy, and some chapstick, and my keys. I know you’re laughing at me, but I don’t care!

Blog Sugar was magical and so was this tiny donut. It was blog conference meets church and it was AMAZING. Check outmy previous post for all I learned. Can’t wait for next year!

Carter and I shared a quesadilla from Taco Bell the other day and the sweet lady wrote us a note right on the wrapper! How cute! That my friends is customer service :)

Just in case you’re wondering, I have an Android phone and use the app Little Photo for my photo editing. My favorite filter is 2 Hand Lens and I use the Slow Lens frame. Enjoy!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Hey there! It’s been a looooooonnnnnggg time since I posted a tutorial on this little blog of mine, but fear not! I have a really fun one for you today!

Unless you have been living under a rock…you know about TOM’s. They are are pretty much the most comfy shoes EVER. A little pricey yes, but for every pair you by, a pair is donated to a child in need. One for one and that’s pretty awesome.

Tucked inside the box with your new shoes comes a little flag. Between the three of us we have 5 pairs of TOM’s so that’s a lot of flags to play with. I knew I wanted to repurpose them I was just waiting for inspiration to strike.

Hang on to your hats friends…I give to you the TOM’s flag tote bag TUTORIAL.

You can make any sized tote you want. I made mine 16x16 with a boxed bottom. If that sounds good to you, follow the tute as written or you can make your own adjustments along the way depending on the size of bag you decide on. You also don’t HAVE to use the flag. This is a very simple box tote that is really versatile. Add whatever trim and accents you want! Make it unique to you!

Cut List:

1. Cut an outer piece that is 16x16.

2. Cut 2 lining pieces that are 16x16.

3. Cut 2 pieces of fusible fleece 16x16.

4. Cut 2 strap pieces 4x22.

5. Cut 2 pocket pieces 4x6.25

6. Cut 2 pieces of interfacing 4x22

7. extra outer strips…you’ll need to figure out your measurements after you trim your flag. Sorry, I know that’s a little vague, but bare with me!

Directions:

First we’re going to prep all of our pieces. Trim off the little grommets on the flag. Next you need to cut your framing strips that will be sewn to your flag in order to make the front panel 16x16. Everyone will have different measurements here because I doubt all the flags are exactly the same size, but you want two strips for the short side and two for the long side…we’re kind of making a quilt block.

Sew your short strips to each short side RST with 1/4” SA. Once you get those on and the whole piece measures 16” wide, you’ll know how big to cut your top and bottom strips. Make sense? I really hope so!

Press your seams open.

Once you get your strips sewn on it should look like this and measure 16x16”.

Adhere your fusible fleece to the outer pieces according to the manufacturers directions.

Iron your interfacing to your strap pieces.

Sew your pocket pieces RST with a 1/4” SA making sure to leave a 3” or so opening in one side for turning.

Clip the corners of your pocket, turn inside out, press, and topstitch the top closing the opening.

Take your strap with the interfacing and press in the edges 1/4” on each side. Then press in half. Do this for both straps.

Topstitch each strap down both sides.

Topstitch pocket to lining piece.

Now that all your pieces are prepped, you get to sew your tote! Pin three sides leaving top open and making sure your flag is facing the right direction. Sew your outer pieces RST with a 3/8” SA. If you have a walking foot, now would be a great time to attach it. It makes sewing on the fleece a lot easier.

Sew your lining pieces together the same way.

I like to box the bottom of my totes. This is optional. If you want you can skip this part. Cut a 2” square out of each corner on your lining and outer pieces.

Open up the square and pin it like this. Sew each corner with a 3/8” SA making sure to backstitch.

Turn the bag right side out. Pin and baste your straps to outside of your bag. I like mine about 3.5” in from the side seam. Make sure your straps are straight with no twists in them! They should look just like this. Make sure they line up on each side. Straps can be tricky, but you got this!

Stitch the straps to the bag with a 1/4” SA.

Place the outer bag inside the lining pieces making sure the edges and side seams line up. Leave a 3-4” opening along a side seam for turning.

Sew the pieces together with a 3/8” SA.

Turn the bag out and tuck the lining down inside.

Press the bag all around the top so that the edge is nice and neat. Pin the opening closed and topstitch around the whole bag.

You are done friend!!! Stand back and admire your new super cute new TOM’s flag tote!

Guess what…there’s more!!! The bag you just made is REVSIBLE! Yep that’s right! Two bags in one! You’re welcome :)

I hope you enjoy this tutorial! It would make my day if you pinned it and made one and shared some pics with me!

NOTE: Please remember as with all my tutorials, this is for personal use only. Please do not sell any bags you make from this tutorial.

It was blog conference meets church. This particular conference is faith based and Christ was certainly the focus. Using our blogs to bring glory to Him was a major theme throughout the day. So refreshing.

I learned about balancing family and being a small business owner, finding my niche, creating community on my blog, and really connecting with my readers. I took away so much from this day that I know will really help me in my blogging.

We were given swag bags filled with all kinds of goodies too!

I can’t wait to use all the note cards and printables to re-do my inspiration board!

All in all, it was such a great day catching up with bloggy friends and making lots of new ones! I can’t wait for next year! I hope it’s a full weekend!

I have a fun tutorial planned for tomorrow so stay tuned! Happy Wednesday everyone!

I have lots of fun things planned for the blog in the coming weeks so stay tuned! I am over the moon about reaching 1000 GFC follower’s AND my birthday is coming up so there are awesome giveaways in your future!

Oh, and if you are looking to drive some traffic to your blog or shop…my advertising spots are opened for October! Check out my advertisers page for details on that!

Have you linked up to Made With Love yet??? If not there’s still time so go link up that crafty goodness!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

I’m off to Blog Sugar today so I'm getting Made With Love up nice and early this week so more of my crafty people have time to link up!

Are
you ready for this weeks party??? Let’s get to it! I'll be featuring
my favorite links on the Facebook Fan Page throughout the week! Are
you a fan?

{Just a few party guidelines}

To
link up, I would first love for you to follow my blog. I like
followers. The more the merrier. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

Link up your crafts, recipes, home decor....anything that has been made by you! {Multiple links to different posts are fine}

Link back here by
grabbing the super cute button on my sidebar and posting it either in
your post or somewhere on your blog to let others know you've joined
the party!

If you see something you like, click on it and go leave them a comment. Everyone loves comments!

Lastly, feel free
to help me spread the word about Made with Love Monday! Follow me on
Twitter {just click on my little Twitter button} and use this tweet "I
linked up my craftiness to @sewchatty's Made with Love
http://sewchatty.blogspot.com Check it out and link up your craftiness
too!"